Page 14 - aruba-today-20210119

a14 people & arts
Tuesday 19 January 2021
Skylar Astin finds new notes to hit on ‘Zoey’s Playlist’

By ALICIA RANCILIO learned, even him perform-
Associated Press ing at a 2 is better than me
NEW YORK (AP) — By page (or most people) are at a
two of the pilot script for 10.”
NBC’s “ Zoey’s Extraordi- Astin has a number of proj-
nary Playlist,” Skylar Astin ects he’s working on in his
knew he wanted the role of downtime. He’s writing and
Max Richman. recording an album he
The NBC musical series, says has a Top 40 feel. Astin
now airing season two on invested in a home studio
Tuesdays, stars Jane Levy while in quarantine at home
as Zoey Clarke, a woman in Los Angeles so he could
who realizes people’s inner- record safely. “There’s one
most feelings by elaborate that sounds like a Sean
song and dance numbers Mendes song. There’s one
that only she can see. As- that sounds like a male
tin’s Max is best friends with Taylor Swift song. I call it
Zoey, and also in love with “Male-or Swift.” There’s one
her. that my friends and family
Astin was just coming off say is the best driving song
the final season of The CW’s they’ve ever heard. Anoth-
“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” also er one has some falsetto
a musical series, where he in it that almost sounds like
took over in the final season This image released by NBC shows Jane Levy, left, and Skylar Astin in a scene from “Zoey’s The Weeknd.
as a love interest for Ra- Extraordinary Playlist.” Associated Press “I really invested in this and
chel Bloom’s character. He it’s been 100% indepen-
wasn’t looking for more of jaded — he’s like, ‘I’m em- things. I know not to get my then there’s Max as is, who dent.” He says he has seven
the same. Then came the barrassed to say this script hopes up about a specific isn’t quite as polished. He or eight songs completed
enthusiastic pitches about made me cry.’” song or choreographer. consciously sang to Zoey in and will maybe add one or
“Zoey’s.” Sure, the job might seem I know how to conserve season one in a flash mob two more, but the goal is to
“My agent, Jacob, and my like a piece of cake for As- while filming one of these and Astin says “we had to release it this year. “I can’t
manager, Mike, called me tin, 33, who was in the origi- numbers and I know the establish that he’s not tone hold onto it any longer.
and said, ‘Hey, you’ve got nal production of Broad- kind of focus and intensity deaf or else it would be very That will drive me crazy.”
an offer, You’re going to way’s “Spring Awakening” and energy it takes. And unpleasant for the viewer,” Astin also co-wrote a Ha-
like it,” recalled Astin, who and found stardom in the I’m always really careful so he describes that version nukkah holiday movie
was speaking over Zoom smash-hit films “Pitch Per- about safety.” of Max’s musicality as “a with Danny Jolles that he
from Vancouver while in fect” and “Pitch Perfect 2,” Astin says he has two musi- good passing grade.” describes as, “my favor-
quarantine before resum- but he describes it more as cal personalities on the se- The show’s creator, Austin ite thing I’ve ever written.
ing production on “Zoey’s” “familiar.” ries. There’s “Magical Max” Winsberg, summed it up in It’s live-action, it’s clean, it
after holiday break. “My “I know what to expect. who gives it his all when an e-mail as “Skylar does would be rated PG and it
manager — who especially I know things change. I Zoey’s witnessing him belt his best to sound average made me cry writing it. It
during pilot season is a little know the camera changes out his true feelings. And or kind of flat, but as I’ve was such a pleasure.”q

Packers QB Rodgers says he will guest-host on ‘Jeopardy!’

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — day during a appearance Trebek during his “Celebrity
Green Bay Packers quar- on Sirius XM’s “The Pat Jeopardy!” stint to his first
terback Aaron Rodgers McAfee Show.” A repre- production meetings with
says he will be a guest host sentative from “Jeopardy!” Keith Jackson, John Mad-
on “Jeopardy!” during the declined comment and den and Dan Fouts, long-
offseason. said no announcement has time broadcasters he had
The show is currently using been made about future watched as a kid.
a series of interim hosts to guest hosts. “We all have so much
replace Alex Trebek, who “I may have jumped the love and affection I think
died of cancer on Nov. 8. gun a little bit, so I apolo- for what (Trebek’s) meant
That process began when gize to ‘Jeopardy!’ if they to just that half hour, that
record-holding contestant wanted to announce it,” 22 minutes of our lives on
Ken Jennings made his Rodgers said. “I just got so a daily basis for those of
debut on an episode that Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks to excited on the show earlier. us who are big fans of the
aired Monday. throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the It kind of just went down the show,” Rodgers said.q
Rodgers was a winning Indianapolis Colts in Indianapolis, in this Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, last couple of days, us figur-
“Celebrity Jeopardy!” con- file photo. ing it out. It is very exciting. 1 7 6 4 2 3 8 5 9
testant in 2015. The All-Pro Associated Press It’s for the offseason. We’ll 5 8 3 9 6 7 4 1 2
quarterback and two-time years,” Rodgers said Tues- in 2015, that was a dream be even more excited 4 2 9 8 5 1 3 6 7
MVP is currently preparing day. “It’s been a staple at come true. It really was. To when that opportunity gets 9 4 1 3 8 5 2 7 6
to lead the Packers (13- my house here in Green be on there, to get to meet a little closer.” 3 6 2 1 7 9 5 8 4
3) into their NFC divisional Bay for the last 16 years — Alex was just such a special Rodgers mentioned the 7 5 8 2 4 6 9 3 1 2021 Conceptis Puzzles, Dist. by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
playoff game Saturday 6 o’clock, watching Alex moment. We’re all obvious- nostalgic connection peo- 8 1 5 7 9 4 6 2 3
with the Los Angeles Rams and trying to get as many ly sad about his passing.” ple have to certain figures 6 3 4 5 1 2 7 9 8
(11-6). “The show has been questions as I can. When Rodgers first made the an- based on their childhood. 2 9 7 6 3 8 1 4 5
so special to me over the the opportunity came up nouncement earlier Tues- He compared meeting Difficulty Level 1/19